Officials Demand Answers on Lost $1.1 million

HANOVER — Hanover officials are demanding accountability and answers after learning the town lost more than $1.1 million in federal COVID-19 relief reimbursements tied to a now-canceled school renovation project.

During its April 7 meeting, the Select Board addressed concerns surrounding the town’s unsuccessful attempt to secure American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for a proposed rehabilitation of the Sylvester School. The project, which included infrastructure upgrades, was halted late last year after town officials determined reimbursement was unlikely.

“We did not receive any feedback that would lead us to believe that any of these projects would not be eligible for funding until starting around September 30th,” said Town Manager Joseph Colangelo. “It is very unfortunate and I’m certainly as disappointed as anyone.”

Colangelo explained that Hanover submitted a list of intended projects to Plymouth County in February 2024. The county, which administered ARPA funds for municipalities, did not flag any concerns about Hanover’s proposals until much later in the year—by which point the town was preparing to sign construction contracts.

Rather than risk proceeding with work and not receiving reimbursement, the project was pulled.

“I opted not to go through with that project,” Colangelo said. “It was a reimbursement program … so it would’ve been a pretty big risk for us to go ahead and do the large project.”

The discussion became more heated when board members reacted to public comments made by County Commissioner Jared Valanzola, who reportedly implied that Hanover officials had mismanaged the process.

“I was really horrified to find that one of our elected officials is sitting there kind of badmouthing local elected officials and employees,” said Chair Vanessa O’Connor. “It’s unfortunate that her [Vice Chair Rhonda Nyman] and other members of our town government have had to hear that.”

Nyman, who serves as Hanover’s advisory representative to the Plymouth County Commissioners, criticized the lack of communication from the county.

“There were four other communities. Someone couldn’t have picked up the phone and called four people to say, ‘Hey guys, there’s money sitting here on the table?’” she said. “I would like to get more answers because this is a tit-for-tat right now and I don’t really feel comfortable with the information that I’m receiving.”

Nyman added that despite attending multiple commissioner meetings and being in regular contact with county officials, she was never alerted that Hanover’s submission was in jeopardy. She suggested political motives could be influencing the narrative.

“I think this is the chairman … and his JV podcast that he put out,” Nyman said. “He was taking that to party lines … All I care about is what’s best for the county and Hanover.”

Colangelo noted that all communications were responded to and emphasized that he withheld signing contracts only after signs pointed to reimbursement denial. He also dismissed any suggestion that Select Board members, including Nyman, were at fault.

“I heard this podcast … making it seem like Ms. Nyman dropped the ball here. I mean, Rhonda has nothing to do with this project,” Colangelo said. “I don’t know where that came from.”

O’Connor and Nyman proposed holding a joint public meeting with Plymouth County officials.

“I want the entire Plymouth County Commissioner board to sit with us and the treasurer,” O’Connor said. “I don’t want to continue to allow this to fly because it’s unfair to let criticism like this and half-truths like this sit out there and impact the way that people perceive our town employees and our volunteers.”

Nyman added she plans to file a public records request for all communications between Plymouth County and Hanover related to ARPA funding.

For more Hanover news, visit South Shore Times' Hanover homepage.